The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained that it removed some governorship candidates from the list of those expected to contest in the 2027 elections because their political parties failed to submit their membership registers as required by the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, explaining that the decision was based on the Supreme Court judgment of 24 September 2026, which affirmed that all political parties must submit their membership registers before conducting valid primary elections to select their candidates.
The Commission said the Supreme Court also affirmed that political parties that fail to comply with this legal requirement are not eligible to nominate candidates for elections.
However, INEC explained that the lists of Presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on 12 September, 13 days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment.
The statement, signed by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly excluded have the opportunity to notify the Commission within 14 days.
INEC stated that the deadline for notifying it of such complaints is 24 October 2026, reiterating its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and credible elections.
